Obituaries

Linda Menold Bates, 83, of New Castle passed away Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Quality Life Services. She was born January 28, 1940, to Howard and Louetta (Nicholson) Menold, in Ellwood City. She was survived by her husband of 13 years, Donald “Don”  Bates of New Castle. Linda grew up in Ewing Park and was a 1958  graduate of Lincoln High School.  She then went on to nursing school and became an Operating Room Technician. Her career started in Pittsburgh, where she had worked on one of the first Kidney Transplant teams in the US.  In 1965, Linda moved to…

Carolyn J. Keane, 81, of Ellwood City passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023 at The Grove At New Wilmington. Although in ill health, death was unexpected. Born April 5, 1942 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late William and Lavada (Welsh) Sobeski. She was married for 55 years to Thomas W. Keane Sr. as they were married August 12, 1967. Carolyn was a member of the Divine Grace Parish and their Christian Mothers Association. She also was a member of their Banner Group and enjoyed making pierogies for the annual St. Agatha Bazaar. Carolyn graduated from Lincoln…

David L. Michels Jr., 64 of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at the Butler Memorial Hospital. David was born on September 17th, 1958 in New Castle to the late David L. and Norma (Shaffer) Michels Sr.. He attended Laurel High School and Vo-Tech of Lawrence County. He worked for Burrelli’s in New Castle, and then for McElwain Motors in Ellwood City as an auto mechanic. David most recently was the owner and operator of Dave Michels’ Garage where he did major and minor car repairs. He enjoyed motorcycles, especially Harley Davidsons. He is survived by his…

Carol J. Johnson, 76, of Ellwood City passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Crescent Place in Ellwood City. She was the daughter of the late William and Elda (Booher) Ewing and was born July 27, 1946 in Ellwood City. She is survived by her children; Jeffrey Steffler and his wife Paula of Fort Ashby, WV, her daughter; Darci Wheat and her husband Freddy of Chesapeake, Va, her grandchildren; Dean Steffler, her siblings; Connie Ferrante and her husband James of Neshannock and Robert Ewing and his wife Lenore of Ellwood City, and Terri Lynn Ferguson and her husband Paul…

Robert D. “Bob” Anderson, 64, of Edinburg passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023 at his residence following a lengthy courageous battle with brain cancer. Born June 27, 1958 in New Castle, he was the son of the late Alan L. Sr. and Doris McConnell Anderson. Bob had graduated from Vo-Tech in 1976. He worked as a field service technician for Burns Industrial Equipment and was the former owner of Anderson’s Lawn Service. He was a current member of the First Assembly of God Church in New Castle. Bob always kept busy and enjoyed working. Family vacations to Ocean City MD…

Our dear Verna Lee Cortes, 85 of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, May 25th, 2023 at the UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Township. Verna Lee was born on January 13th, 1938 in Ellwood City to the late Violet M. (Matheny) Chapman. She was a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church, where she was a Christian Mother and Bazaar Volunteer for many years. Verna Lee worked in sales at Airway Industries and then as a beauty consultant for Elizabeth Arden at Kaufmann’s and Lancome at Horne’s. She will be always loved, never forgotten, and forever missed. She…

Joseph Ralph Young Sr., 88, of New Galilee passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 at his residence after an extended illness. Born November 29, 1934 in Darlington Township, he was the son of the late Arthur and Margaret Louise McCoy Young. He was married to June Wharry Young. Joseph had graduated from Darlington High School. Following graduation, he worked at the B&W until his retirement. He was a member of the Enon Presbyterian Church and former Board Member of the White Church Cemetery. He was an avid gardener who enjoyed feeding the neighborhood. Survivors include his wife of 64 years…

Susan Jane Swanik, (Sue), passed away unexpectedly on May 24, 2023, at the age of 82, in New Castle, PA, Lawrence County. She was born on August 12, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Marion Stillwell and James Mullan. Sue was a loving wife, mother, aunt, and doting grandmother. She is survived by her husband Mike, children Jim and Buz, and grandchildren Brenden, Alex, Gabby, Matthew, and Maria. Sue was preceded in death by her parents. Prom Queen at her high school in Newark, NJ, she later attended Westminster College for higher education, establishing and cherishing life-long friendships along the way….

Charles E. “Chuck” Gwin, 96, of North Beaver Township passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at his residence. Born December 19, 1926 in North Beaver Township, he was the son of the late Edwin Lee and Matilda Hopper Gwin. He was married to Betty J. Beatrice for 42 years when she passed on March 30, 1987. He was married to Shirley Kelly when she passed on April 14, 2018. Chuck was a Veteran of the Army serving during WWII. Chuck was retired from Essroc (Bessemer Cement) where he worked as an electrician. He was the oldest member and past commander…